Tethered hovering platform for aerial surveillance



TETHERED HOVERING PLATFORM FOR AERIAL SURVEILLANCE Filed Aug. 9, 1961Nov. 9, 1965 F. K. PAULI ETAL 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fritz K. Pauli 'Rudolf H.Schlidt, ]NVENTORS Nov. 9,1965 F. K. PAUL] ETAL 3,217,097

TETHERED HOVERING PLATFORM FOR AERIAL SURVEILLANCE Filed Aug. 9, 1961 6Sheets-Sheet 2 hw i1 :F- if 1i Fritz K. Pauli Rudolf H. Schlidi,

IN VEN TORS. j

Nov. 9, 1965 F. K. PAULI ETAL 3,217,097

TETHERED HOVERING PLATFORM FOR AERIAL SURVEILLANCE Filed Aug. 9, 1961 6Sheets-Sheet 3 MOVEMENT BACKWARD FORWARD ANGULAR V F|G.6B FIG-6D FritzK. Pauli FIG.6 Rudolf H. Schlidi,

INVENTORS.

' Nov. 9, 1965 F. K. :PAULI ETAL TETHERED HOVERING PLATFORM FOR AERIALSURVEILLANCE Filed Aug. 9, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Frii'z K. Pauli RudolfH. Schlidr,

INVENTORS.

BY I

Nov. 9, 1965 F. K. PAUL] ETAL 3,217,097

TETHERED HOVERING PLATFORM FOR AERIAL SURVEILLANCE Filed Aug. 9, 1961 6Sheets-Sheet 5 VISUAL INDICATING MEANS OBSERVATION MEANS REVOLUTIONCOUNTER GASOLINE ENGINE OF REEL COMPRESSOR C) 0 Q OR COPTER HEIGHT (FT)ON CEO OFF POWER RPM 0II. THROTTLE ON $20 OFF 6 0 i;

GYRO 8 FLAP CONTROL AIR PRESSURE MAIN VALVE FOR UT0 WlNDING MECH' OFCOMPRESSOR COMZIIQFESSED ON OFF GYRO 8 7 ON (g) OFF Q (ED ON C OFF Q PSIFLAP CONTROL CONTAINER DOOR 9o CONTROL STICK ON (g) OFF PRESSUREREGULATOR OBSERVATION MEANS TILTING CONTROL ELECTRIC POWER MOTOR SPEEDEMERGENCY 80 ON 3;) OFF m RPM DESCENT Flag Fritz K.Pauli Rudolf H.Schhdi,

i I INVENTORIS. BY a, [M

W za

1955 F. K. PAUL] ETAL 3,217,097

TETHERED HOVERING PLATFORM FOR AERIAL SURVEILLANCE Filed Aug. 9, 1961 6Sheets-Sheet 6 minim" mm FIG. I l

Friiz K. Pauli Rudolf H. Schlidi,

SHUT PRESS. 5525 OF OFF REG. POWEIQ 3,217,097 TETHERED HGVERING PLATFORMFOR AERIAL SURVEILLANCE Fritz K. Pauli, 1417 Locust Ave., and Rudolf H.Schlrdt, 3306 Panorama Drive SE., both of Huntsville, Ala. Filed Aug. 9,1961, Ser. No. 130,427 8 Claims. (Cl. 1786) (Granted under Title 35,U.S. Code (1952), see. 266) The invention described herein may bemanufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposeswithout the payment of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a tethered hovering platform. Such a device isuseful where it is desirable to observe surrounding areas, such as inreconnaissance by field troops, or in civilian work that requiresobservation from a distance.

In view of these facts, an object of this invention is to provide anaerial-surveillance device which can be operated with its controlsmounted in a permanent location, or that can be controlled from a movingvehicle.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tethered hoveringplatform with a scanning section which can be orientated while it isair-borne.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a device with ascanning section that can be raised to various heights and lowered in aminimum of time.

A further object of this invention is to provide a light weight devicewhich is relatively free of vibration when used with a vehicle that istraveling over rough terrain.

The foregoing and other objects of this invention will become more fullyapparent from the following detailed description of the invention andfrom the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a pictorial view of the tethered hovering platform showingthe scanning section being operated from a tank.

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view partly in section and partly brokenaway, showing the scanning section of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a view along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a plan View of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a view, partly broken away and partly in section, along line5--5 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURES 6 through 6d are views showing the relation between the rotorand control flaps when the position of the flaps is varied for movementof the scanning section in different directions.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view, partly broken away, showing the tetheredhovering platform mounted in the tank of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 8 is an elevational view partly in section of the reelingmechanism of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a view of the master control console used for control of thetethered hovering platform.

FIGURE 10 is a sectional elevational view, partly broken away, ofanother embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 11 is a plan view of FIGURE 10.

In the drawings, for the purpose of illustration, there is shownpreferred embodiments of the invention and wherein the numeral 1designates a tethered hovering platform. The device (FIGURE 1) includesa scanning section 2, a control line 3 and a ground station 4. Thescanning section as shown in FIGURE 2 comprises the airborne vehicle,the scanning means within the airborne vehicle and their associatedcomponents as shown therein.

The scanning section is provided with a frame 5 (FIG- URES 2 and 4) thatis preferably made of light metal, or plastic and may be filled with anyof the known type light weight materials for providing extra strength.This frame comprises a plurality of arcuate support arms 6 auras?Patented Nov. 9, 1965 which have one end connected to a circularprotection ring 8. The other ends of arms 6 are connected to housing 10,adajacent its base. Housing It) is provided with a partially enclosedsupply tube 12 having one end flowconnected to control line 3 and itsother end adapted to provide a bearing support for a rotatable driverotor 14 having a plurality of hollow blades 16. Each blade is providedwith a nozzle outlet 18, adjacent its tip, which is preferablyrectangular in cross section. These outlets are flow-connected thru thehollow blades, to supply tube 12, for receiving fluid pressure tooperate rotor 14. It is to be understood that other means for drivingrotor 14 can be used, such as a small electric motor mounted in thescanning section, or small rocket motors attached to the rotor, but thatthe fluid pressure system described is preferred.

The housing also serves as a mount for a pivotal observation means 38which permits the surrounding terrain to be observed. The observationmeans shown in the drawings is a miniature slow scan television camera.However, it is to be understood that other types of devices can becarried by the scanning section, such as audio transmitting systems,optical equipment, infrared equipment, or other electronic devices. Asmall motor 32, preferably pneumatic, having one end pivotally connectedto observation means 30 and its other end pivotally connected to saidhousing is used to pivot means 3%. This motor is powered by fluidpressure supplied from control line 3 and is controlled by switch 34mounted in the control console 36. Switch 34 operates control valve 33,which determines the direction that motor 32 moves and the tilting ofmeans 3!).

In order to maintain the scanning section in a vertical plane, agyroscopic assembly 24 (FIGURE 5) is disposed in housing It). Thehousing also serves as a mount for a pair of movable shafts 21, thatsupport control flaps 22, below said rotor. These flaps are utilized forchanging the orientation of the scanning section (various positions ofthe flaps are shown in FIGURE 6) and are moved by motors 24. Thesemotors are provided with gears 2d which coast with a second set of gears28 that are rigidly mounted on shafts 21.

Control line 3 has one end flow-connected to scanning section 2 and ispreferably made of light weight material, such as plastic withreinforced nylon fiber, but can be made from other materials as long asthey provide a line which is flexible and light weight combined withhigh strength. The line is provided with additional reinforcements by aplurality of wires 38 that are molded in the wall of the line. TheseWires provide the necessary electrical connections between the elementsin the scanning section and the control console disposed in the groundstation.

As stated above, the ground station can be either stationary, or movablebut is illustrated in the drawing as being movable. The ground stationis provided with a recess 40, that provides a storage space for thescanning section when the section is not in use. The recess is coveredby a movable door 42, operated by a motor and gear arrangement 44 thatis controlled from the console, when the section is housed in therecess. Ground station 4 is also provided with a reeling mechanism 46,adjacent to recess 40.

Mechanism 46 is provided with a spool 48 (FIGURES 7 and 8), for storageof line 3, that has a bore 49 extending partially along its axis whichis open at one end and an aperture 50 joining the bore. This apertureprovides a path between bore 49 and control line 3 for passage ofpressurized fluid for operating rotor 14 and for passing conductors 38into bore 49, where they are connected to a plurality of electricalcontacts 51. The open end of bore 49 is flow-connected by a conduit 56to a pressure regulator and a shutoff valve 58 and a source of pressure61, which can be a compressor, tanks, or any other suitable pressuresupplying means. Spool 48 is mounted for rotation, in a pair of supports52, by a reversible drive mechanism 54. This mechanism is also coupledwith a guide roller 60 mounted on one end of an arm 64. Arm 64 alsoserves as a mount for a second guide roller 62, that coacts with roller6t). Roller 60 is Synchronized with spool 48 by drive rod 66 and itsattached gear boxes 68 and 70, or other suitable means that willmaintain the amount of line unwound from spool 48 and the amount of linepassing over roller 69 equal. Arm 64 is provided with a pair of tensionsprings 72 to insure pretensioning of rollers 60 and 62. The other endof arm 64 is provided with a pair of resilient snubbers 65 for providinga limited shock absorbed action to the arm.

FIGURES 10 and 11 show another embodiment of the invention that utilizesa pair of oppositely rotating rotors 74, and 76 having a coupling device'78 for insuring equal rotational speed of both rotors. However, it isto be understood that the rotors can be rotated in the same direction.In this embodiment frame is substantially rectangular so that bothrotors are enclosed by the same frame. The remainder of this embodimentis the same as the first embodiment, and can replace the scanningsection of the first embodiment by changing control line 3 from oneembodiment to the other and by providing the ground station with recess40 that will receive a scanning section of either shape.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The tethered hovering platform is placed in operating position (forpurposes of explanation, the device is de-' scribed as being mounted ina movable mount, represented as a tank, but as pointed out above it canbe maintained in a stationary position) aboard a moving tank.

When the tank commander reaches a position where he wants to observe thesurrounding terrain, the operator actuates switch 80 (FIGURE 9) whichcontrols electric power to the device, and switches on fluid pressurecontrol switch 82 for supplying pressure to the pressure regulator.Next, switch 84, for supplying power to a visual indicating means 85 andobservation means 30, is switched on and the indicating means andobservation means are checked for proper operation. Door 42 is opened byactuation of switch 86 and the pressure regulating section of valve 58is adjusted by control switch 88 so that it supplies a minimum amount offluid pressure to the shut-oif section of valve 58. The shut-ofi sectionof valve 58 is opened by switch 89, thereby supplying the minimum amountof pressure to scanning section 2. Switch 87 is then operated, placingthe gyroscope in operation. With the gyroscope in operation, power issupplied to the motors for operating the control flaps by switching onswitch 90, and the flaps are adjusted to Zero position by control stick91.

The scanning section is now ready to move out of recess 40 and up to apredetermined height that is controlled by the setting of revolutioncounter 92 and brake 94. When it is desired that the device ascend, apredetermined pressure necessary to lift the scanning section fromrecess 49 is supplied to rotor 14 (or to the dual rotors in the secondembodiment) by readjustment of control 88, brake 94 is released and thewinding mechanism is operated by switch 93 thereby allowing line 3 toleave spool -58. When the scanning section has reached the predeterminedheight, it is positioned by moving the control stick. With the scanningsection in the desired position, the observation means is adjusted byoperating switch 34 which operates a two-way valve 33 that controls thedirection of movement of motor 32, thereby positioning observation means30.

Reference is made to FIGURE 6, in which section A shows that with thecontrol stick in zero position the scanning section remains stationary,except when moved by gusts of wind, section B shows the position of the41 flaps when the control stick is moved forward, section C shows theposition of the flaps when the control stick is moved backwards from itsZero position, and section D shows the position of the flaps when thecontrol stick is rotated in one direction (if the stick is rotated inthe opposite direction the position of the flaps will be reversed). Withthe above control, we see that the scanning section can be moved in anumber of different directions with, or without the tank moving.

In order for the scanning section to descend the reverse procedure iscarried out. Also, it is possible to create a partial descend bydecreasing the length of control line 3 and the pressure supplied to thescanning section (adjustment of the pressure is not always necessary inpartial descends).

It is to be understood that the preferred invention is herein shown anddescribed, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangementof parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of theinventor tor the scope of the subjoined claims.

The following invention is claimed:

1. An aerial-surveillance device for observing surrounding terraincomprising: a self powered movable ground station; a scanning section,said scanning section having a protection shroud; fluid actuated rotormeans disposed for rotation for producing thrust for propelling saidscanning section, said rotor means enclosed by said shroud for placingsaid section in an airborne position; a plurality of control flapsdisposed beneath said fluid actuated rotor means and disposed foractuation to direct said thrust in a desired direction, for controllingthe attitude of said scanning section; a plurality of servo mechanismsconnected to said flaps for movement of said flaps; observation meanspivotally mounted in said scanning section for receiving arepresentation of the surrounding terrain; a tubular control line havingone end connected to said scanning section; a plurality of electricalconductors embedded adjacent the periphery of said tubular control linefor supplying power to said servo mechanisms; and a source of powerconnected to a second end of said control line, said source of powercomprising an air compressor and a source of electrical power.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1, that further comprises a gyroscopicassembly disposed in said scanning section for maintaining said sectionin a vertical plane.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1, in which said fluid actuated rotormeans comprises a rotor having a plurality of blades and thrustproducing means disposed in the tip of each blade.

4. A device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a master controlvalve disposed intermediate said second end of said second control lineand said air compressor, said master control valve having a cut-offsection and a pressure regulator section coacting with said aircompressor for controlling the ascent and descent of said scanningsection.

5. A device as set forth in claim 1, in which said means coacting withsaid section for displaying said representation comprises a videoreceiver.

6. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said ground station isprovided with a control mechanism including a control console and areeling mechanism for controlling said tubular control line connected tosaid scanning section.

7. A device as set forth in claim 1, in which said fluid actuated rotormeans for placing said section in an airborne position comprises aplurality of rotors having a plurality of blades, thrust producing meansdisposed in the tip of each blade, and means for maintaining equalrotational speed of said rotors.

8. An aerial-surveillance device for observing surrounding terraincomprising; a scanning section, said section having a housing, fluidactuated rotor means disposed for rotation for producing thrust forpropelling said scanning section, said fluid actuated rotor meansattached to said housing for placing said section in an airborneposition, means rotatably disposed in said housing for maintaining saidhousing in a plane that is normal to said means for placing said housingin an airborne position, variable control mechanism connected to saidhousing and disposed for actuation to direct said thrust in a desireddirection for changing the airborne position of said section,observation means pivotably attached to said housing for receiving arepresentation of the surrounding terrain, and a shroud for protectingsaid scanning section and for directing thrust from said means forplacing said section in an airborne position; a control station having amaster control console for control of said scanning section, means fordisplaying said representation of said surrounding terrain, a reelingmechanism having a bore, an aperture, a plurality of electrical contactssupported by said mechanism, and electrical means extending thru saidaperture and connecting said contacts to said console, a plurality ofelectrical conductors electrically connecting said contacts to saidscanning section, a fluid pressure source flowconnected to said bore,and a source of electric power connected to said contacts; a hollowresilient control line having one end connected to said scanning sectionin communication with said fluid actuated rotor means, and its other endflow-connected With said bore and source of fluid pressure.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,523,926 1/25Ypma 24417 .17 1,993,414 3/35 Respess 40214 2,212,128 8/40 Richter343902 2,463,094 3/49 Field et a1. 178-6 2,476,678 7/49 Miller 46892,995,740 8/61 Shreckengost 1786 3,149,803 9/64 Petrides et al 24417.13

FOREIGN PATENTS 569,094 1/59 Belgium.

20 DAVID G. REDINBAUGH, Primary Examiner.

KATHLEEN H. CLAFFY, Ex'aminer.

1. AN AERIAL-SURVEILLANCE DEVICE FOR OBSERVING SURROUNDING TERRAINCOMPRISING: A SELF POWERED MOVABLE GROUND STATION; A SCANNING SECTION,SAID SCANNING SECTION HAVING A PROTECTION SHROUD; FLUID ACTUATED ROTORMEANS DISPOSED FOR ROTATION FOR PRODUCING THRUST FOR PROPELLING SAIDSCANNING SECTION, SAID ROTOR MEANS ENCLOSED BY SAID SHROUD FOR PLACINGSAID SECTION IN AN AIRBORNE POSITION; A PLURALITY OF CONTROL FLAPSDISPOSED BENEATH SAID FLUID ACTUATED ROTOR MEANS AND DISPOSED FORACTUATION TO DIFECT SAID THRUST IN A DESIRED DIRECTION, FOR CONTROLLINGTHE ATTITUDE OF SAID SCANNING SECTION; A PLURALITY OF SERVO MECHANISMSCONNECTED TO SAID FLAPS FOR MOVEMENT OF SAID FLAPS; OBSERVATION MEANSPIVOTALLY MOUNTED IN SAID SCANNING SECTION FOR RECEIVING AREPRESENTATION OF THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN; A TUBULAR CONTROL LINE HAVINGONE END CONNECTED TO SAID SCANNING SECTION; A PLURALITY OF ELECTRICALCONDUCTORS EMBEDDED ADJACENT THE PERIPHERY OF SAID TUBULAR CONTROL LINEFOR SUPPLYING POWER TO SAID SERVO MECHANISMS;